DE102007047181A1 - Shopping aid e.g. shopping trolley, for guiding customer during shopping, has display unit displaying location-based information that is determined by using communication unit, which communicates with product and/or with group of products - Google Patents

Abstract

The aid e.g. shopping trolley (100), has a display unit (102) for displaying location-based information that is determined by using a communication unit (101). The display unit displays one of a special offer, balancing item, normal product, actual incident and risk situation. The communication unit contains radio frequency identification-communication unit and communicates with a product and/or with a group of products. The display unit contains a red green blue-luminous unit. A memory support e.g. memory stick, is designed in a detachable manner and is coupled via Bluetooth. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a method for operating a shopping aid (2) a system containing a shopping aid.

Description

The The invention relates to a shop assistant, a method of operation of the purchasing consultant and a system comprising at least one Shopper.

Known Shopping trolleys have limited functionality.

Known is, a variety of shopping carts secure each other using a deposit system such that a Shopping cart only from the others or from a fixed station solved can be when the customer inserts a coin or a chip and thus a mechanical lock (eg the one with a chain with the next shopping cart connected) dissolves.

The The object of the invention is, in particular, a flexible and functionally interesting shopping consultants who create the Customer assisted in the purchase of goods.

These Task is performed according to the characteristics of independent claims solved. Further developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

• – mindestens eine Anzeigeeinheit und
• – mindestens eine Kommunikationseinheit.

To solve the problem, a shopping consultant is specified, comprising

• - At least one display unit and
• - At least one communication unit.

Of the Shopping consultant or shopping assistant includes, for example a shopping basket and / or a shopping cart. In particular the shopping consultant designed as a shopping basket or shopping cart. alternative the shopper can also be designed as a (mobile) device, that a customer carries with him shopping and / or an existing one Shopping cart or shopping basket (temporary or detachable) attached.

A Continuing education is that based on the at least one communication unit a communication with a commodity and / or with a group of Goods done.

in this connection can the shopper with the at least one commodity over the at least one communication unit exchange data. For this purpose can the goods have a transponder. The transponder can be considered a (Radio) communication device be configured, the incoming signals, z. B. of the at least a communication unit, receives and answers.

Additionally or Alternatively, the at least one communication unit be executed as at least one transponder and / or at least include a transponder.

A Another training is that the at least one communication unit an RFID communication unit.

Preferably can the RFID technology (RFID: Radio Frequency Identification) be used to communicate with the purchasing consultant the goods and / or the group of goods.

One RFID method is suitable for automatic identification of objects z. B. of goods or groups of goods. In addition to the contactless identification and the localization of objects can also be based on RFID automatic collection and storage of data.

One RFID system preferably comprises a transponder located on or located in the article and this features and a reader for reading the transponder identifier. The reader contains software (a microprogram) that controls the actual reading process and an RFID middleware with interfaces to other computer systems and databases. In the present case, the shopping consultant and / or the product or group of goods in each case at least one RFID transponder and / or at least one reader include.

For example Every single product can be equipped with one RFID transponder each. It is too possible, that the place where the goods are located, z. B. a certain Place on a shelf, having an RFID transponder and thus shows the customer where the goods are basically to be found. this has the advantage that not every single copy has its own RFID transponder needed.

Especially It is a training that the at least one display unit comprises at least one lighting unit. Preferably, the at least a display unit at least one RGB lighting unit, preferably is designed as an RGB light strip with LEDs.

Also It is a training that the at least one display unit represents location-related information.

there For example, a location-related information also includes a direction indication to visualize where a commodity or product group can be found.

Furthermore, it is a development that the Location-based information can be determined based on the at least one communication unit.

Preferably the at least one communication unit determines a position of the purchasing consultant, who then uses the at least one display unit is representable.

Especially the at least one communication unit may have a position of Shopping consultant in dependence at least one product and / or at least one group of goods determine. This is done z. B. by a communication with the goods and / or the group of goods, for example by means of said RFID technology.

• – ein Sonderangebot;
• – einen Restposten;
• – eine normale Ware;
• – ein aktuelles Ereignis, insbesondere eine Gefahrensituation.

In the context of an additional development, the at least one display unit represents at least one of the following information:

• - a special offer;
• - a residual item;
• - a normal product;
• - a current event, in particular a dangerous situation.

Especially can z. B. in a handle of a shopping cart left and right one RGB light emitting diode unit each be provided, the dependent from the position of the shopping cart left or right at least indicates one of the information exemplified herein.

Furthermore can at least one further display unit be provided, the additional represents current offers, which optionally depends on the position of the purchasing consultant can vary.

Especially can display units associable with particular directions (e.g. in the form of a coordinate system, each comprising a display unit for the front, rear, right and left) may be located at the shop assistant and it can be dependent From the direction in which a product is to be found, this product the display unit associated with this direction. In addition to the goods and / or groups of goods, it is also possible that current information, eg. B. dangerous situations are displayed.

alternative or additionally can do this Information also independent from the position of the purchasing consultant, z. B. in a given temporal change z. B. presented as an advertising run become.

A next A further development is that the at least one display unit is colored.

In addition, you can use the colored design certain information is presented: For example, it is possible by at least two (easily) distinguishable colors at least show two directions distinguishable from each other.

A Embodiment is that the shopping consultant has a storage medium, which is designed in particular removable.

One such storage media can, for example, a memory stick, a USB stick, a memory card or a mobile phone, the z. B. via Bluetooth, his.

A alternative embodiment is that the storage medium includes data to which the indicates at least one display unit.

Accordingly, the Storage medium the Customers a preselection of goods he wants to buy or where he basically is interested. The shopping consultant communicates with the storage medium and can now be the customer to the desired Lead goods and / or display as soon as the customer is near a of the selected goods. For this purpose, the at least one communication unit for the determination an absolute position of the purchasing consultant in the shopping area and / or a relative position of the purchasing consultant one or more goods or groups of goods.

A next Embodiment is that the at least one communication unit on the basis of the data on the storage medium to a location information at least one item linked to the data and in particular the at least one display unit on this at least indicates an object.

One such notice can z. B. in the form of an arrow-like navigation respectively. Also, just to the immediate vicinity of a be referred to certain subject, if this example. By RFID funds can be discovered in the vicinity of the purchasing consultant.

Also It is an embodiment that the at least one display unit towards the at least one item.

A Further development is that the storage medium based on the at least one Communication unit is writable.

For example, the storage medium at the cash register can be described with new (current) offers. The customer then has the opportunity immediately or at home offline offers, such. B. to be nem personal computer by means of the removable storage medium to view and possibly select which goods interested him in the next purchase. This selection is stored on the storage medium, the storage medium is used in the next purchase in the purchasing consultant and guides the customer to the desired offers or articles.

A additional Embodiment is that the shopping consultant a shopping cart, a shopping basket or other device that is particularly portable accomplished is.

A another embodiment is that the shopping consultant an energy storage includes for the energy supply of the electronics / electrics of the purchasing consultant, in particular for supplying energy to the at least one display unit and / or the at least one communication unit. It can the energy storage at least one accumulator (battery) include.

Also is it a way that a dynamo is provided, based on which the energy storage is rechargeable. In particular, the dynamo can be attached to a wheel of the shopping cart operate.

Also It is another embodiment that plug contacts for charging the energy storage are provided. In particular, the Plug contacts are executed in the deposit system.

Consequently can with return shopping cart and redeem of the deposit a charging of the energy storage are initiated.

A Another development is that the energy supply means Photovoltaic takes place.

Also It is a continuing education that the energy supply by means of inductive Loops, which are arranged in particular in the ground, takes place.

The The above object is also achieved by a method for Operation of the shopping guide described herein.

• – anhand mindestens einer Kommunikationseinheit wird eine absolute Ortsinformation des Einkaufsberaters und/oder eine relative Ortsinformation des Einkaufsberaters zu mindestens einem Gegenstand bestimmt;
• – mittels einer Anzeigeeinheit wird die absolute Ortsinformation und/oder die relative Ortsinformation und/oder eine sonstige Information, die zumindest teilweise auf einer der beiden Ortsinformationen basiert, angezeigt.

The object described above is also achieved by a method for operating a purchasing consultant comprising the steps:

• - Based on at least one communication unit, an absolute location information of the purchasing consultant and / or a relative location information of the purchasing consultant is determined to at least one object;
• - By means of a display unit, the absolute location information and / or the relative location information and / or other information that is based at least partially on one of the two location information displayed.

at the article is, for example, a product or a department.

Farther solved The above object is achieved by a system comprising at least a purchasing consultant as described herein.

embodiments The invention are illustrated below with reference to the drawings and explained.

It demonstrate:

1 a scenario comprising a shopping consultant embodied as a shopping cart, the shopping cart in particular showing a communication unit for communicating with at least one article, an LED strip and a storage receptacle;

2 a deposit system plug with two contacts to secure the shopping cart and to charge a battery based on the electrical contacts;

3 a block diagram with components of a system for operating the shopping advisor, which is designed in particular as a shopping cart.

Of the approach proposed here suggests a shopping consultant, in particular a shopping basket or shopping cart which is extended to an interactive shopping help.

exemplary will be explained below made to a shopping cart, according to the shopping consultant as a shopping assistant of different characteristics, eg. B. as a shopping basket or as a standalone device, in particular with a Shopping cart or shopping basket can be detachably connected, is feasible.

1 shows an example scenario for a shopping consultant who acts as a shopping cart 100 is executed. The Shopping Cart 100 should show or signal to the buyer different things, objects and / or actions. For this purpose, the shopping cart 100 at least one display unit 102 , z. B. an RGB strip (a strip of light comprising at least one RGB light emitting diode unit) on.

For example, a transverse crossbar 103 or part of it is made transparent and in this transverse crossbar 103 can he RGB strips 102 be arranged visible to the customer. Different colors show the customer specific information when shopping, eg. B. Special offers, normal offers, dangerous situations, etc.

The power supply for the shopping cart can by means of a wheel dynamo and / or a deposit system (see also 2 ) respectively.

It is also possible to realize a purchasing profile tailored to the customer. The customer can, for example, electronically, for. B. delivered by email marketing brochures offline at his personal computer at home and mark goods and on a storage medium, eg. As a memory card, a USB stick, a mobile phone, the Bluetooth can be coupled with the shopping cart, store and in particular in the shopping cart 100 in a dedicated memory receiving device 104 deploy.

At the Moving the shopping cart may cause the finding and / or the proximity of the goods be identified by a change in color of the display in the Sliding crossbar.

It is possible, too, that the shopping cart leads to the individual goods by z. B. colored the direction is signaled to a commodity.

Of the storage medium can additionally to unlock the deposit system. Alternatively, a can Chip or a coin be used to unlock the deposit system.

Preferably, the shopping cart 100 guide the customer to the desired articles. For this purpose, the shopping cart 100 at least one communication unit 101 on, over a communication channel 150 with a good or group of goods 110 and / or with a good or group of goods 120 communicated. In particular, this communication can be a location determination relative to the respective product or product group 110 / 120 include, allowing a closeness to the product or product group 110 / 120 over the LED strip 102 can be displayed.

In addition, it is possible that over the communication channel 150 an absolute position of the shopping cart 100 can be determined and therefore a centralized or decentralized route calculation (navigation) to a desired product or product group 110 / 120 feasible and z. B. as arrow symbols on the LED strip 102 can be displayed.

At the box office, for example, via the communication channel 150 a billboard with current and / or future offers are loaded on the storage medium.

Of the Shopping cart reserves in particular its known functionality, so that also a use of the shopping cart without the additional described herein Service possible is.

2 shows a deposit system plug 200. with two contacts 201 and 202 , preferably for charging the energy storage of the shopping cart 100 serve. In this case, protective sleeves are advantageous 210 for short-circuit avoidance at the contacts 201 and 202 intended.

• – Sonderangebote durch Farbe,
• – Restposten,
• – normale Ware,
• – Gefahrensituation, z. B. Feueralarm.

The display unit or the LED strip 102 is preferably used to represent at least one of the following information:

• - special offers by color,
• - Remainders,
• - normal goods,
• - Danger situation, z. B. Fire alarm.

Especially Each display unit can be colored to an information for the Better visualize users.

Of the Shopping cart can communicate with the goods using RFID technology. The sliding crossbar of the shopping cart can be used to locate Goods or groups of goods left and right each be equipped with an LED strip. Dependent From the position of the goods, the ad may be a different one Accept color.

Also Is it possible, display advertising in the display unit. In particular, advertising animations dependent from the position of the shopping cart (absolute or relative to certain Goods or groups of goods).

For example can also competitions are displayed in the display unit.

The Power supply to the electronics of the shopping cart is preferred by means of a battery, the z. B. by pushing the shopping cart over a Wheel dynamo of the shopping cart loaded and / or can be supplied.

The battery can also have two plug contacts in the deposit system of the shopping cart (see 2 ) to be charged.

Furthermore Is it possible, that the power supply (additional) using photovoltaic and / or inductive loops in the ground he follows.

3 shows a block diagram with components of a system for operating the Einkaufsbe raters.

A communication unit 301 is with a microcontroller 302 connected to the one hand, a storage medium 305 and on the other hand an LED driver 303 are connected. The LED driver 303 controls a LED strip 304 at.

Furthermore, there is a power supply 306 provided, which can be carried out in different ways (see above description). To the power supply 306 is a charging circuit 307 connected to a battery 308 provided.

Based on the battery 308 becomes the LED driver 303 (and the electronics in the shopping cart) supplied with electrical energy.

100

Shopping venture

101

communication unit

102

Display unit LED strip

103

Sliding crossbar

104

Storage Cradle

110

Would or department

120

Would or department

150

communication channel

200

Deposit system plug

201

Contact

202

Contact

210

Protective sleeves for Short-circuit prevention

301

communication unit

302

microcontroller

303

LED driver

304

Display unit LED strip

305

storage medium

306

power supply

307

charging circuit

308

accumulator

Claims (26)

Shopping consultant comprehensive - at least a display unit and - at least a communication unit. Shopping consultant according to claim 1, wherein based on the at least one communication unit communicates with one Goods and / or with a group of goods. Shopping consultant according to one of the preceding claims, at the at least one communication unit is an RFID communication unit includes. Shopping consultant according to one of the preceding claims, at the at least one display unit has at least one lighting unit includes. Shopping consultant according to one of the preceding claims, at the at least one display unit has at least one RGB lighting unit includes. A shop assistant according to claim 5, wherein the RGB lighting unit is light-emitting diodes includes. Shopping consultant according to one of the preceding claims, at the at least one display unit location-related information represents. A shop assistant according to claim 7, wherein the location-related information based on the at least one communication unit can be determined. Shopping consultant according to one of the preceding claims, at the at least one display unit at least one of the following Information represents: - one Special offer; - one Remnants; - one normal goods; - one current event, in particular a dangerous situation. Shopping consultant according to one of the preceding claims, at the at least one display unit is colored. Shopping consultant according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a storage medium, which is designed in particular removable. A shopper according to claim 11, wherein the storage medium carries data includes, to which the at least one display unit indicates. A shopper according to claim 12, wherein the at least a communication unit based on the data on the storage medium a Location information for at least one item linked to the data determines and in particular the at least one display unit this indicates at least one object. A shopper according to claim 13, wherein said at least a display unit in the direction of the at least one item shows. Shopping consultant according to one of claims 11 to 14, in which the storage medium can be described on the basis of the at least one communication unit. Shopping consultant according to one of the preceding claims, at the shopping guide a shopping cart, a shopping basket or another is particularly portable device. Shopping advisor according to one of the preceding claims an energy storage for supplying power to the at least one display unit and / or the at least one communication unit. Shopping consultant according to claim 17, wherein the energy store comprises at least one accumulator. Shopping consultant according to one of claims 17 or 18, in which a dynamo is provided on the basis of which the energy storage is rechargeable. Shopping consultant according to one of claims 17 to 19 comprising plug contacts for charging the energy storage. Shopping consultant according to claim 20, wherein the plug contacts executed in the deposit system are. Shopping consultant according to one of the preceding claims, at the energy supply is done by photovoltaic. Shopping consultant according to one of the preceding claims, at the power supply by means of inductive loops, in particular are arranged in the ground takes place. Procedure for operating the purchasing consultant one of the preceding claims. A method for operating a purchasing consultant comprising the steps: - based at least one communication unit becomes absolute location information of the purchasing consultant and / or a relative location information of the Shopping consultant for at least one item; - by means of a display unit is the absolute location information and / or the relative location information and / or other information, which is based at least partly on one of the two location information, displayed. System comprising at least one purchasing consultant according to one of the claims 1 to 23.